Riding the wave of change

Change is healthy and, sometimes, necessary. But change is also hard. And being hesitant to change – whether it’s due to the fear or uncertainty or having been burned in the past – will only push you in the wrong direction.

The truth is, sometimes riding the wave of change, no matter how small or intimidating, can often be the best way for us to improve, reach our goals, and offer better benefits experiences for our clients. Adaptability has been central to my career and there are several ways I think it can be impactful for others as well.

Don’t be afraid to start small

We often see change as needing to be big or grand, but it’s the small changes that help us be more effective. In fact, research at Stanford  shows us that starting with small, easy-to-do changes – rather than large ones – can often lead to greater long-term success. 

For instance, we all know that it’s important to improve our sales techniques. our messaging to clients and approaches – but those who are effective at doing this are often the ones who are making small adjustments over time. Trying to make too many changes at once can often lead to feeling overwhelmed and unable to manage change, dragging us back to old habits. But when you refine one part of your sales pitch at a time, rather than trying to completely overhaul your approach in one, big swoop, you’ll begin to experience change as something that’s more manageable, less intimidating, and ultimately give yourself a better chance at seeing successful results from your efforts. 

When you can successfully implement small changes into your routine, this can also open a door for numerous opportunities for change. This means you don’t have to stick to same benefit solutions you’ve always used or be afraid to explore challenging employer conversation. Try new things, experiment, learn - growth will follow. If you can become successful at creating positive change by slowly integrating smaller changes over time, striving for bigger changes will not only feel more attainable but more sustainable. 

Navigating uncertainty doesn’t always have to be taken seriously

Sometimes in this industry, our roles require navigating through uncertainty. Whether it be in a newly established role, or introducing new products or services, or joining a new team, I’ve found that many of my peers – especially those who had spent their entire careers in the insurance industry – would place unnecessary pressures on themselves to navigate uncertainty without flaws, usually hindering their ability to really succeed. When we don’t experience change often, it can be hard for us to shift our mindset or be open to idea of not knowing what’s next. 

But regardless of the role or company you’re in, it’s essential to remind yourself navigating uncertainty is bound to come with challenges – and that’s okay. To quote the famous Dale Carnegie, “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” To help navigate through uncertainty, we have to allow ourselves to have a little fun here and there to help you keep your mind creative and better equipped to handle your setbacks. If you can change your mindset and embrace having fun and keeping things light-hearted, you’ll be more likely to enjoy what you’re doing, and more likely to find success as well.

In an industry where relationships are key and trust is paramount, some of that comes from bringing levity and a positive attitude to our work. It’s amazing how far a can-do attitude and approaching clients with a smile on your face can get you. 

Always try to make yourself accessible

We can all learn from each other, and throughout my career I’ve had the opportunity for one-on-one interactions with tenured and respected members of the industry. Those interactions can serve as a great opportunity for you to learn the ins and outs from your peers, as well as give you room to learn, experiment, and make small changes to your market approach. Networking amongst partners, peers and, yes, even sometimes competitors is a great way to elevate our industry as a collective – but you have to be open to it.

Being accessible can help you strengthen your working relationships, enhance your reputation and your communication skills. Most of all, that networking and communication can open the door to better solutions for our clients and their employers – who, ultimately, should be our focus. 

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Embracing change has always been instrumental in my career. It’s helped me learn the importance of focusing on the little things, to not be afraid of have a little fun, and to strive to make ourselves available to others. If all of us can incorporate these practices into our day-to-day, it will make for better benefits experiences for ourselves and for our clients.